As more details emerge around the circumstances surrounding the death of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, police investigation has commenced after it appeared the couple and their dog have been dead for “quite a while” before the bodies were found.

 Hackman, 95, was discovered in a side room near the kitchen of the house in Santa Fe, while his wife Betsy Arakawa, a 65-year-old classical pianist, was found in a bathroom.

Authorities reported no signs of injury but deemed the deaths “suspicious enough” to investigate and have not ruled out foul play. No cause of death was given.

In a wide-ranging career, Hackman won two Academy Awards for The French Connection and Unforgiven.

Three of Hackman’s children from a previous marriage confirmed the death of their father and Ms Arakawa in a public statement.

“He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss,” Elizabeth, Leslie and Annie Hackman said.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office confirmed the deaths.

“On 26 February 2025, at approximately 1:45pm, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and a dog were found deceased,” the office said.

In a news conference on Thursday afternoon, Sheriff Adan Mendoza said: “It sounds like they had been deceased for quite a while, and I don’t want to guess in reference to how long that was.”

He added: “There was no immediate sign of foul play. Haven’t ruled that out yet.

“This is an investigation, so we’re keeping everything on the table.”